Blue water heart

photo by Daan Verhoeven

It's that time of the year again: freediving depth world championships are up! In a sport with more world championships than we can keep track of, this is the big deal. It's our ultimate challenge. The very essence of freediving.

Over the next two weeks athletes from around the world will be battling it out in the deep waters off the coast of Cyprus. Going out in a rib to float in the middle of the sea, with nothing around but water and nothingness below. Hardly anyone knows we are here or what we do. The only cheers come from other athletes. This is something I have always liked about our sport. It's a small universe in itself and doesn't rely on instant gratification from crowds of spectators. The highs and lows are private.

Although I have most likely had the worst training season ever, I am already loving this place and my very own moments at depth. Whatever that depth may be in the end, the beauty of it is a constant. When James Cameron was asked why he was striving to dive to the deepest part of the Mariana trench in a one man submarine, an endeavor that was as risky as it was expensive and complicated, he said: "it fills my heart with wonder".

I couldn't agree more. There is plenty of wonder coming up to fill this freediver's blue water heart.